This lecture is part of the 2010 Archives Heritage Lecture Series at Chautauqua Institution. Jon Schmitz, Institution Archivist and Historian, presented the lecture, "THE ORIGINS OF CHAUTAUQUA." Schmitz makes the point that the Chautauqua Idea began in 1872 with the first season in 1874. Chautauqua succeeded in combining three movements that were on the decline and incorporated them in a new way. The three ideas were the Sunday School, Camp Meetings, and the Lyceum Movement. A lively Q & A followed (not recorded) by the appreciative audience of over 100 that included the observation that Chautauqua Institution evolved into nine weeks from it's two week origins by including the weeks before the first Tuesday in August which it celebrates as its birthday. Chautauqua's success has been rooted in the experience people have enjoyed and shared with others. -- By Dennis Galucki

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